Mark your calendars! Family Science Day: September 28th

On September 28th between 9 am and 4 pm, join McGill’s Office of Science Outreach, STEMM Diversity @ McGill, the Trottier Space Institute and McGill Physics Outreach, for free science activities for families. Activities will be held both indoors and outdoors at the downtown campus and are intended for children ages 6 and up.

Registration is required for some activities.

‘This scholarship is truly life-changing’ - McGill’s 2024 Schulich Leaders

Daniel Valentini couldn’t believe his eyes when he read the letter informing him of his Schulich Leader Scholarship. 

“I called McGill to confirm, and they told me it was real. I think I was in shock,” says Valentini, a graduate of Dawson College in Montreal who is entering McGill’s Faculty of Science.

McGill’s Computer Science Camp inspires next generation of coders

After a hiatus of about a decade, the McGill Computer Science Summer Camp once again welcomed students from Montreal high schools and CEGEPs to the downtown campus this summer. The camp was a group effort organized by students, staff and faculty across the computer science community. Students participated in four packed days of talks, hands-on activities and coding sessions, to learn about computer science.

Twelve McGill professors honoured by the Royal Society of Canada

Ten McGill professors researching in such areas as child trauma, memory and cardiovascular diseases are among the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) newest Fellows. Another two early-career professors at the University have been named Members of the RSC’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

They are among 104 new Fellows and 56 Members from across the country announced by the RSC on September 3, 2024.

Frederic Bertley receives honorary doctorate degree for his astounding work in science education

Frederic Bertley was amongst a group of leaders to receive an honorary degree from McGill this spring. For the past eight years, Bertley has served as the President and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), which features the largest science outreach program in North America.

The power of face time: Insights from zebra finch courtship

A new study on songbirds sheds light on the power of social interaction to facilitate learning, insights that potentially apply to human development.

McGill University researchers discovered that zebra finches deprived of early social experiences could still form strong bonds with a partner later in life. Once placed into cohabitation with a male, females that had never heard a mating song before could quickly develop a preference for his melody.

Celebrating International Pi Day with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives

Earlier this year, McGill’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives celebrated International Pi Day with a talk from mathematician Dr. Edward Doolittle followed by a student panel on Indigenous experiences in STEM and, of course, some delicious pie.

McGill’s Computer Science Camp inspires next generation of coders

After a hiatus of about a decade, the McGill Computer Science Summer Camp once again welcomed students from Montreal high schools and CEGEPs to the downtown campus this summer.

The four packed days of talks, hands-on activities and coding sessions were all intended to strengthen students’ interests in coding and coding competitions, and to contribute to the development of computer science talent in Quebec.

2024 Interdisciplinary Research Development (IRD) Award Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Interdisciplinary Research Development (IRD) Award! As part of the Computational & Data Systems Initiative, these awards are presented by the McGill Collaborative for AI & Society (McCAIS) and encourage interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding and positively influencing the impact of AI on Society.

From Windy City to wilderness champion

In the heart of Lanaudière, Quebec, a 233-hectare tract of wilderness stands as a living testament to the resilience of nature and the generous stewardship of McGill chemistry professor Linda Reven.

Physics Professor Cynthia Chiang featured in National Geographic

Physics Professor and National Geographic Explorer Cynthia Chiang is the subject of a new National Geographic article out today.

Lighting up the circuits of the cerebellum

In a new article published today in Nature Communications, a team of McGill researchers led by Professor Alanna Watt of the Department of Biology examines the spatial organization of neurons in the cerebellar cortex.

Generative AI in the classroom

With generative AI tools readily available to students, student assessment was a recurrent topic of discussion at a bilingual, two-day symposium hosted by McGill last month in partnership with Google and the Pôle interordres de Montréal.

Astrophysics award honours student research with nod to pioneer

Allie Vibert Douglas made history when she earned her PhD at McGill.

It was 1926 – a time when higher education wasn’t an option for most women.

By then, Douglas already had a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science from McGill – and had been named a member of the Order of the British Empire for her wartime service. With her PhD, she became the first Canadian woman to obtain a doctorate in astrophysics.

Nigel Roulet awarded David Thomson Award for Graduate Supervision and Teaching

Congratulations to Professor Nigel Roulet, Department of Geography, for being awarded the 2024 David Thomson Award for Graduate Supervision and Teaching!